Our feathered friends

Winged flight always has intrigued mankind. That is one reason for our fascination with birds. Some species, such as hawks and vultures soar, at precipitous heights, catching thermals to stay aloft for hours in search of prey. Hummingbirds hover, fly backward and zip away at high speed. Woodpeckers and other species take undulating flights as they go from tree to tree. The rufous-sided towhee, wood thrush and brown thrasher are retiring birds that flit about in the underbrush and are often seen on the ground, scratching leaves aside in search of insects or fallen seeds.

Thoreau spoke of the song of the wood thrush, "Whenever a man hears it he is young, and Nature is in her spring; wherever he hears it, it is a new world and a free country, and the gates of heaven are not shut against him."

Those living in rural areas might see a majestic Eastern wild turkey near their feeders, attracted to fallen seeds. As they scratch and peck about, their beautiful, iridescent plumage reflects ambient light. This bird has excellent eyesight and hearing. Even though they are a ground-dwelling species, they can achieve high speeds in flight, and roost in the upper branches of the largest trees in their range.

One of the easiest ways to enjoy birds is to place feeders near windows so they may be observed as they come to share the bounty. Feeders vary in type from tube feeders, gravity fed box feeders and platform feeders. Different species are attracted to different types of feeders, therefore, it is wise to have several types available. Perching birds such as cardinals, finches, titmice, and chickadees will feed actively from tube feeders (cardinals also feed well from platform feeders). Clinging birds, such as woodpeckers and nuthatches, will be attracted to suet feeders. Other species will often visit the suet in cold weather when the fat content is more essential to their survival. Doves are normally ground feeders, and along with the resident squirrels they will clean up waste seed that has fallen to the ground.

Water is critical to birds, and providing a water source near the feeders will attract and hold more birds in the area. Change water more frequently during warm weather. Birds will foul the water and it will need frequent changing.

Squirrels are always on the prowl, looking for a handout. They are persistent in their efforts to reach food sources. All poles supporting feeders should have guards to repel these pesky invaders. Don't place feeders too near to trees or rooftops where squirrels may leap onto feeders. They can make spectacular leaps and cling precariously to feeders. They are daredevils, and even though they are hurt as they leap and bang into feeders or poles, once they realize they can reach the feed, they never give up. The only solution is to move the feeders out of their reach and be sure guards are in place.

During winter months, food is more critical for birds. Keep feeders filled to attract more birds and species. However, letting feeders run out of food is not as critical as once believed. Experts now say that wild birds only get about 20 percent of their food from feeders and still forage for natural food in the area. That said, if you want to keep the maximum number of birds actively coming to your feeder, keep it well stocked.

Another tip for winter months is to clean out bird houses, but don't take them down or block the entrance. Bluebirds and other species often use bird houses for roosting or to seek refuge from the elements when weather is severe. Some houses even have reversible doors so the entrance is lower on the front during cold weather and the house will hold more body heat of the birds inside.

Leafy, evergreen shrubs planted in the area of the feeders and perimeter of yards will provide refuge for birds from predators and foul weather. Azaleas, hollies, pines, cypress, cedars and similar shrubs and trees are good examples. In addition, during warmer months they will provide additional nesting sites.

Fall and winter is a good time to observe migratory species such as hawks and waterfowl. In the fall, observation points such as Caesar's Head offer a look at migrating hawks and they move southward for the winter. Waterfowl species such as mallards, black ducks and Canada geese will become more abundant on local ponds and waterways. Wood ducks and Canada geese are year-round residents. Wood ducks have always been year-round species in the south, but will move further south during severe winter weather. Canada geese were once only present in the winter, but due to "short-stopping" at northern preserves where they were fed, migrations dropped to a low number. Hatching of geese in the region and release to area lakes has created nonmigratory geese or geese with minimal inclination to migrate. Today, geese are a common sight at local ponds and lakes throughout the year.

The requirements for bird watching are minimal. A good pair of binoculars will assist in close-up viewing. For close range observation of feeders, 7x35 binoculars with short focus capability are more than adequate. If you are planning on hiking and observing birds in the wild, you might choose more powerful 10x40 or 10x50, or even a spotting scope for extended range. These are readily available from local retailers.

Familiarization with bird species, nesting habits, range and calls is best accomplished by securing one or several bird books such as The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds, National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America or many other fine reference works. Some even offer companion CDs so you may learn to match the calls with the birds in the comfort of your home before going afield.

Bird watching is an interesting hobby and one that will yield a wealth of enjoyment to those who participate.